Happy LOSAR (New Year)!

Today, it is all about the day of festivity for the Bhutanese people like our Chinese counterparts. After all, it is our New Year! The day coincides with the first day of first month of the Bhutanese Calendar.  Normally, it is the day where family gets unified, relatives and friends get together over a lavishly prepared dishes or a cup of Ara, locally brewed alcohol and Bangchang, the fermented rice/corn juice(?).

Like every one of you would have something to do on the eve of the day, I for one have a very simply thing. I send out text messages to wish all the contacts that I have saved in my cell phone. This time too, I sent out to nearly 150 people, and about 73 replied to my sms. The most enjoyable part is, of course going through all the texts one by one. Each one of them carries a certain messages to convey about the day, not to mention about their comedic nature.

This year’s out going text message was as follows:

“Its time to celebrate, enjoy, and above all reflect on your bygone years! Losar has come and gone for the time immemorial, and the most impt thing is to appreciate your life and commit to give the best in the years that follow. LOSAR Tashi Delek!! Pema”

And here is the compilation of the text messages that I got from my friends!

“Woo! A glass of ara, a glass of spy, a glass of coffee, lets chase 4 losar wid shakam n red rice. Enjoy it. So wish u a very happy losar.”

“Happy losar 2 u too. Sorry for da late reply. Anyways hope u had a wonderful start of da losap.”

“Same to you la.”

“May god sparkle ur lif wit lightin of crackers n fil ur lif wit joy n hapinss on de occasin of 2days losar. Wishing u a vry HAPY LOSAR Wai! N ya. Lagpu ane zai!”

“Thx n same to u as well”

“Thanks pema sir, I also wishes you and you family a same feelings and truth you shared to me. Let me celebrate this losar for the successful year before, with less unfortune that we had. Enjoy the day. With regards…”

“Thanks same to you”

“Yes sir!!! :-) thank you n I sincerely hope that with all blessings from new 2012, n best wishes from all well wishers, you could be able to proced further with your utmost goal la. May the luck kiss your fate, n may the sky b the limit of your success la. Happy LOSAR la!!”

“Thanks khotkin enjoy the day tomarrow”

“Thkr pema n sam 2 u. Enjoy n ve fun la”

“Hapi losar…njoy..Suga drmz”

“Thanks a lot. Make de day more memorable n enjoyable den ever…hav fun.”

“Thx bro…n same 2 u bro. Enjoy da day! Tashi delek!”

Some however didn’t even have any idea of who I am although we are from the same village. Turned out they didn’t have my number saved in their phones.

“Same to u la whoever u might be.reckon on ur past action n selected da gud ones n celebrate ur achievement n start new life with hopes, aspirations n dream to be meet in reality which will motivates next losar to be celebrate much much more better then today n obtain da 45’(degree graph here after.hapy losar, my fren or????”

“Thank u n same to u…U min pema jamtsho.?”

“So swt…its simple frm my side ‘hope u too wil enjoy d day…’ Thanks mae…dtnt ;)”

“Thank u n same wishes frm my side to one and all”

“hey same 2 u na…enjoy tey may”

"Thanks n same u”

“Wish you Happy New Year!! Dhaw Chu neypay losar lu tashi delek shu gay la!! Thanks ”

"whn d midnite bell rings 2nite, let it signify a realization of al thgs u wish 4, let signify a year of courage n blives..so vt dis I wish u a vry hapi “DAWA CHUNI PA LOSAR” njy d day..missing u..gudnite..”

“Thanks n tashi delek to u 2. Enjoy the day”

“Thx man dt wory m cuming down 2maro.so c u dr”

“Thanks a lot. Billions of smiles. Millions of hapines, thosands of suces, hundreds of prosperity , dozens of good health, tons of hopes, & 1 heart wishing u a very “HAPPY LOSAR” do njoy it. Missing u all”

“Thank.happy losar. Gdnit”

“Thank u so much!! It is pleasure for me to receive this beautiful n interesting sms….i too wish u a very enjoyable losar…Tashi Delak”

“Than q for u r wish n same 2 u. “happy loser””

“Thanks u so much n i 2 wish u a veri hapi losar. Njoy n haf fun. Gudnit n tkc”

“Wakep up with new hopes, dreams and expectations. May god bless you all with happiness. Happy Losar 2 u n ur family. Tashi Delek Yeh”

“Hi hope u doin gud there n me too. Anyway wishin u very fabulous chunipa losar to u n ur family. Happy losar buddy!!”

Thank you everybody for sparing the precious time in replying my text message. May God bless you all!

Note: Sorry for the spelling errors and grammatical mistakes!

What should I expect?

I've just taken the path which not many people like to take it. Even if they do take, it is definitely their last and final option! The unwanted one, in short.

Yes, I am talking about the teaching job. What else can it be, right? Most boring job, perhaps? Well, it differs and it depends on how you the takers take it as. But sadly, so far I haven't seen much takers of it (teaching job) as a 'noble job', as it is being routinely referred to.

Throughout the course of my journey to this stage, I have hardly met anyone who actually 'encourages' to join this profession or at least have something good to say about it other than the ones already in it either by virtue or by fate. Worse enough, some even go to the extent of saying too many bad things, and put off the flames of patience that some possess.

...to be cont'd...

Off to the World of Work!

Excited yet nervous, pumped up yet tiring and heated up yet so cold. So was the state in which I gradually made my way through to the 'Peak of Learning' just three days ago. It was my first time to be in Sherubtse (now my work place), in fact, first timer to this entire Dzongkhag-Tashigang.

Having started my journey from Deothang quite late, I was welcomed by the chilly and darkened valley of Kanglung around 7:30 PM. As we made our way through the College main gate, all that I had back in my mind was 'how to find the accommodation' since the earlier accepted owner had reverted his decision and now wanted just the female tenants! I respect his/her preferences, no objection whatsoever, I just wish he had pronounced that early for that would enable me to find another room!

After dropping all the stuff at Mr. Sonam Tobgay's (new assistant lecturer as well) house, went to Ms. Karma Yangzom's (new as well) house for dinner, and finally went to a Mathang's house (a distant relative) house at Kanglung HSS campus for calling off the day. We were three of us, my two older brothers and myself. Felt quite uneasy to pose them a burden of accommodating all three of us, but had no options!

Early morning, after having a breakfast, we drove back to the College to report to the Director's office and to do some follow-ups. Having dropped me at the campus, my brothers made their way back to their destinations (Deothang and beyond). I felt quite sad as I bade farewell to my lovely and caring brothers. I choked quietly!

Next we were sort of escorted to the then unfamiliar buildings and offices by a senior lecturer. Firstly into the Administrator's office for the appointment, secondly to the Directors office for the briefing, thirdly to the Deans' offices and finally to the respective Department Head's office. In particular, the pain that Academic Dean took in orienting and introducing each one of us to the rest of the lecturers and staffs were very helpful and heartening! Thanks Madam Sonam!

As a final call, we were in the respective HOD's office, Department of IT/Maths in my case. Madam Sonam Wangmo looked so energetic and keen on orienting two of us (both for Maths) from the very beginning. Felt very comfortable! Despite the space crunch, she managed to find us a space at senior lecturers offices. That being done, we were briefed on the systems, and our task for the rest of the semester. Not surprisingly, she didn't assign any course to teach (since the semester is almost ending), rather required us to attain few classes "just to know how the senior lecturers conduct the classes..." Accordingly, we chose eight classes (totaling 8 hours) in a week to keep us engaged.

Frankly speaking, going to the classes ranging of 40-60 students for the first time was the most nerve-wrecking experience! Not to mention that most of the students look older than us making it difficult to differentiate between lecturers and students.

"That will do it for this semester, but be prepared to take the full module next semester," we've been reminded!

National Graduate Orientation Program 2011 (NGOP) in Session

Yesterday corresponding to the 10^th August 2011, some 1700 national graduates flocked into the Nazhoen Pelri auditorium, Thimphu. The briefing session that was scheduled to start at 9 AM couldn’t do so until much later as some of the graduates didn’t report on time and those who were on time didn’t take the seat properly. The committee members’ nightmare in maintaining the crowd was just too obvious.

With much hurdle, the graduates were accommodated into the packed hall and the session finally kicked off. The newly appointed secretary to the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources Dasho Pema Wangda gave an opening statement in Dzongkha, followed in English. “That’s the formality,” said he switching his speech to English. While we talk about diminishing usage of the national Dzongkha, and see the helpless state of Dzongkha Development Commission, I couldn’t help wondering how we couldn’t even conduct the ‘National’ session in our ‘national language’!

He clearly detailed down the main objectives of the NGOP session, while reminding each one of us to ‘derive the highest benefits’ from this program. He said that the online forums have seen disfavor in conducting such program, and that ‘given a choice, we would gladly stop’, but it has been felt by the highest authority that such a program be continued! Hence, yet again the NGOP 2011 themed “Meeting to Lead: Connecting our young Leaders”. 

...to be cont'd

Back to Blogger's World!

Finally, I am back into Blogging after more than a month. I have been busy: firstly graduating, secondly journeying back to my country Bhutan, and thirdly trying to settle down.

The month of June was the craziest of all, having to undergo a major transition! I landed on June 18th, in the Saturday afternoon on our second landing attempts due to 'unfavorable weather' at Paro. Coming home after nearly four years was a strange yet happy feeling.

Now that I am back, I am presented with so many things to address and attend to. Doing so keeps me away from this blogging world, and whenever I find time, the lack of the Internet connectivity makes it impossible to come. Oh, how I miss the broadband connection that I had there, lol. Unless I find an employment as soon as possible (where I can use the services accorded by the employer), I won’t be able to update or post any new articles here that regularly, so bear with me if you care (by the way, I hope you do care, lol).

Having said that, I will be preparing for the forthcoming BCSC exams (Bhutan Civil Service Common Examinations) preliminary examinations, which is scheduled on August 28, 2011, so wish me loads and loads of luck my dear readers!

A Lonely Journey to the US (Part IV)

(links to: Part III)

Cell phone glued onto my right ear, I aimlessly walked on the grassy land.

“Please God, let us talk for the last time again,” I said prayer silently. Luckily, she picked up the phone.

“Oye (Hello)!”

“Hello! Where are you, still here?”

“Yeah, at Paro waiting for the flight! What are you doing today?” I asked her in a subdued tone.

“Nothing; I don’t feel like doing anything. I am at home, can’t study,” she replied.

“Oh is it? Don’t worry my dear, we will see happily after four years. Do study well all right?”

“Hope you will keep all those promises you have made to me, but anyway I will wait and see. I started to miss you already!”

“Of course, don’t you trust me?” I answered with a question.

“So far I have never trusted anybody like I trust you. Don’t forget me!”

The conservation just got deeper and more emotional. I promised her I won’t forget ever and together we prayed for our healthy relationship. In the meantime, the whole Paro valley shook by the thunderous sound as the Druk Air plane appeared out of nowhere from the tall Mountains, and landed on one of the scariest Airports in the world-Paro International Airport. I learnt that only those specially trained pilots with sufficient familiarity with the local geography are certified to fly to this airport.

Knowing that my wait won’t be that long now, I called off my sweet heart. How saying ‘Goodbye’ was such a hard task!

My niece teased me about flying with that white aircraft which just landed.

“Khochung (Uncle), are you happy to fly now?”

I smile back, but I was actually so nervous and shaking like a sick person fighting with a dreadful Parkinson’s disease! The same lady called me in again to check my cabin baggage in. When I reached inside an abnormally cold room, she drilled me as to what and how to go about through the security check. I thanked her and headed to the left side of the terminal building. I thought she was following me, but she had others like me to attend to, quite understandably.

I saw scores of people in line going through the security check-one at a time. I followed the suit and walked past the x-ray machine when a guy stopped me suddenly. He told me to take off my handbag and put through the x-ray machine. I obediently took off the bag, and placed on a roller feeding the machine. By then the people who were in front had already been cleared and long gone. Feeling lost at that place, I looked around like a baby deer abandoned by his mother in a thick jungle. Soon a guy from the side of room pointed to the direction where I was supposed to be headed. I was about to step onto the next phase of the security check when a gentleman tidily dressed in a neat black uniform with round cap, like that of an Army officer, saluted upon seeing me!

“Kuzu wai! (Hello, Good Morning!)” He greeted me.

...to be cont'd

Bumthang ‘Charm-Fire’ (Chamkhar)?

Bumthang is known for its natural beauty blessed by numerous saints and lamas including the second Buddha Guru Rinpoche. From Kurje Lhakhang to Mebartsho, Bumthang indeed is a land of Charm. But unfortunately the charm is under attack by fire as of late. The Chamkhar town, which is now third in a row gutted down by the disastrous fire accident, has raised so many eye brows across the nation. The very first accident garnered a nation-wide sympathy, while second one raised a few questions/suspicions, and I am sure now this third one would raise ever more questions and eye brows!
Why just in the Chamkhar town? Is Chamkhar town electrified differently? Are people being stubbornly careless with electricity? Is our disaster management proactive or reactive or more importantly prepared enough to fight with such a catastrophe? If it was an electric short-circuit, are our electric appliances or wiring safe? So on and on…These are the very pertinent questions that everybody should be pondering on.

Electricity is a good servant but a bad master, we are being cautioned thus. Of course only if it was taken that seriously, neither does Gyelpoi Zhimpoen’s office have to be on toes (all the time) nor would the Chamkhar town have to be rebuilt thrice in two years! These unfortunate repeated fire accidents have generated both sympathizers as well as suspicions. The Opposition Leader has twitted, “1st fire in Oct. 2nd in Feb. 3rd this morning. All 3 started at abt 2:30 AM. Strange. Residents suspect arson caused this morning’s fire”. Yes its strange! Could the investigation team be able to come up with any conclusive findings that would be necessary to help better respond to such accidents in the future? Let us wait and see!

National Assembly is in session now, and I don’t know if they are going to discuss anything new and concrete, particularly on the disaster management. We often say we Bhutanese take things cautiously learning through mistakes. But we have already seen so many problems and mistakes, how long are we going to wait to correct the mistaken things and put some safety measures in place? It is high time the concerned authority raised the alert level, and framed a rule for a mandatory requirement of Fire extinguisher and the smoke detector in every house all across the nation. Accordingly, educate and train the people on handling those equipments, so that they don’t have to fully rely on the under manned fire-fighters and fire trucks. Fire accidents are preventable and we should be fully aware of how to prevent it!

Until and unless something drastic is carried out, there will be many Chamkhar towns in waiting across the nation. Hope this fire accident was purely accidental, but if the investigation team finds otherwise, justice should be prevailed and necessary action carried out!

May God Bless Bhutan, and my condolences to all the people affected by the latest accident!